I have posted on Lactnet over the past few months about my husband's use of
EBM--he has cancer, and during a thrush bout preferred not to use the milk,
although I assured him that it was OK, and now he is taking it again!  We
use donor milk from a milk bank.  The Swedish study is very interesting and
compelling--unfortunately, I have not been able to get much of an update on
the use of breastmilk to kill cancer cells, and do not know what the
mechanism would be for administering treatment.

My husband is using breastmilk for its immune factors.  A Chicago MD, for
example, has his liver transplant patients take breastmilk to increase their
IgA levels, thereby decreasing their risk of post-op enteric infection which
is frequently (64%) fatal.  There is not a lot of scientific documentation
on the use of human milk for adults, but there are adults using breastmilk,
including cancer patients and those with GI disorders.

I am not really researching the topic while we are busy commuting to Phila
five days a week for chemo and radiation, but based on the properties of
breastmilk, I am hopeful that my husband is receiving benefits.  I have no
way to measure any outcomes, although so far he has not had any vomiting or
diarrhea, which are common side effects to treatment.  Measuring something
that doesn't happen is always difficult!  As some of you have said, "It
can't hurt."

My caution to the sister donating milk would be the concern for the
patient's compromised immune system--the EBM, I believe, will enhance the
immune system, but collection and storage would have to be impeccable so as
not to inadvertently introduce harmful microorganisms.  The milk bank, of
course, follows strict guidelines and pasteurizes the milk.  I will not get
into the transmission of diseases such as Hepatitis and HIV, although I
think that even between sisters there is a risk.

I personally am not convinced that drinking EBM cures cancer, because the
data is not available, but there may be other benefits.

Happy to share if there is further interest in topic.  Please search
Archives also.

Blessings to those who are suffering, and to those that help them to heal--

Patricia Ellis, RN, MA, IBCLC
NJ

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